Usoc Getting Back On Track

SHARON ROBB ON THE WINTER OLYMPICS

While the USOC sidestepped the controversy swirling around skier Bode Miller and figure skater Michelle Kwan, they met the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation scandal head-on.

When the federation's top officials failed to investigate the numerous charges of sexual harassment of athletes by coach Tim Nardiello, some dating back as far as 2002, an independent arbitrator investigated. He determined there was no credible evidence to support the claim, and Nardiello was reinstated.

The USOC put the brakes on what surely will make a year-end blooper list of how not to handle a major controversy before the Winter Olympics.

The USOC conducted its own four-week investigation and overruled the arbitrator by yanking Nardiello's credential and booting him off the U.S. Olympic coaching staff. The USOC went on to describe the federation's handling of the incident as "troubling" and "poor."

Troubling? That's an understatement. The Nardiello fiasco came on the heels of the federation's botched handling of Zach Lund's positive drug test, which the USBSF decided to handle internally instead of reporting it to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency as required.

The USOC, which has the final say over athletes and coaches selected for the Olympic team, did the right thing. It interviewed athletes, witnesses and Nardiello, who admitted he violated the USOC's Coaches' Code of Ethics, including dating an athlete from New Zealand whom he also coaches.

Instead of conducting its own investigation, the federation skirted the issue, swept it under the rug and said it would be dealt with after Turin. Though the USOC handed over its evidence at Nardiello's lawyer's request, spokesman Darryl Seibel said the organization's decision is final.

The USOC folks are confident some changes within the federation will be made after the Games. Cleaning house would be a good start.